Free travel handle for louver punch or the like

ABSTRACT

An improved louver apparatus including a reciprocating punch, a die having spaced anvil and support members for receiving the punch therebetween, and actuating means for the punch. The actuating means includes a handle, having a limited degree of free travel, and an integral ball and link for transmission of force from the handle to the punch. The handle, ball and link coact so that maximum downward force is applied to the handle when the punch is cutting through metal to form a louver. The punch and die are jointly pivotally indexable to different positions for cutting louvers both longitudinally and transversely of a metal sheet. The anvil has four working edges to provide longer useful life.

United States Patent Van Cleave FREE TRAVEL HANDLE FOR LOUVER PUNCH ORTHE LIKE Eugene Van Cleave, Orchard Lake, Mich.

Van Mark Products Corporation, Farmington Hills, Mich.

Filed: May 6, 1974 Appl. No.: 467,012

Related US. Application Data Division of Ser. No. 310,046, Nov. 29,1972.

Inventor:

Assignee:

US. Cl. 83/616; 83/633; 83/698 Int. Cl. 326d 5/08 Field of Search83/698, 616, 633, 634;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Primary ExaminerAndrew R. JuhaszAssistant ExaminerLeon Gilden Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Cullen, Settle,Sloman & Cantor [57] ABSTRACT An improved louver apparatus including areciprocating punch, a die having spaced anvil and support members forreceiving the punch therebetween, and actuating means for the punch. Theactuating means includes a handle, having a limited degree of freetravel, and an integral ball and link for transmission of force from thehandle to the punch. The handle, ball and link coact so that maximumdownward force is applied to the handle when the punch is cuttingthrough metal to form a louver. The punch and die are jointly pivotallyindexable to different positions for cutting louvers both longitudinallyand transversely of a metal sheet. The anvil has four working edges toprovide longer useful life.

4 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUM24 1975 3. 8 90,870 SHEET 3 FREETRAVEL HANDLE FOR LOUVER PUNCH OR THE LIKE This is a division ofapplication Ser. No. 310,046, filed Nov. 29, 1972.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally toapparatus for selective punching of sheet metal or the like and, moreparticularly, to an improved apparatus for cutting or punching louversor vanes in sheet metal.

Machines for forming louvers are well known as exemplified by US. Pat.No. 2,728,316 issued to Oberg et al on Dec. 27, 1955. The Oberg et alpatent discloses a basic louver cutter including a frame, a punch anddie arrangement and a schematic actuating mechanism.

Other prior art louver cutters include actuating means operating on theprinciple of a cam and cam follower to force a punch through the sheetmetal with resilient means urging the punch and actuating means back toa rest position. One disadvantage with this type of actuating mechanismis binding of the resilient means. A greater disadvantage is the excessforce necessary to operate the cutter to punch through the sheet metalbecause the force is not being applied to the actuating means in thesame direction that the punch is moving while punching through the sheetmetal.

Another problem arises in prior art devices which include an indexingfeature to permit louvers to be punched both longitudinally andtransversely of a metal sheet. The prior art indexing means do notprovide for proper alignment of the upper reciprocating punch and thestationary die. Such alignment, according to the prior art devices, isby eye which may result in one louver being improperly punched each timethe punch and die are indexed and in contact between the punch and diecausing excess wear and damage to both the punch and die.

Yet another problem in prior art devices of this nature is based on therapid wearing out of the working edge of the anvil. The anvil issubjected to a repeated shearing stress each time the cutting memberpunches through the sheet metal against the anvil. After a certainnumber of punching operations, the working edge of the anvil wears outand a new anvil is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, a principal object of thepresent invention to provide an improved louver cutter.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved louvercutter including actuating means which provide positive control of thepunch.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improvedlouver cutter having actuating means which provides a mechanicaladvantage over actuating means of the prior art.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improvedlouver cutting having an actuating means which permits a maximum forceto be applied to the actuating means in the same direction that thepunch moves while cutting through the work piece.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide animproved indexing means for a louver cutter so that the punch and diewill be aligned after indexing.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedanvil having a plurality of working edges.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing objects of the presentinvention, together with other objects and advantages which may beattained by its use, will become more apparent upon reading thefollowing detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals identify correspondingparts:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the louver cutter of the present inventionshowing the actuating means in a rest position;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the louver cutter of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a partial front elevation taken along plane 33 of FIG. 1illustrating the punch means and anvil means of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial side elevation of the louver cutter of the presentinvention illustrating the actuating means in a working position; 7

FIG. 5 is an illustration ofa work piece having a plurality of louverspunched therein;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the actuating means of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a partial side elevation of the louver cutter of the presentinvention illustrating the punch means and die means indexed to adifferent working position;

FIG. 8 is a partial plan view taken along plane 88 of FIG. 4illustrating the punch means indexed in a first position; and

FIG. 9 is a partial plan view taken along plane 99 of FIG. 7illustrating the punch indexed in a second position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The louver cutter of the presentinvention includes a generally C-shaped frame 10 having an upper leg 12and a lower leg 14, punch means 16 disposed in the upper leg, die means18 attached to the lower leg and means 20 for actuating the punch meansto punch a louver in a work piece W by reciprocating the punch meanswith respect to the die means.

The die means 18 of the present invention include a base 22 rotatablymounted in the lower leg 14 of the frame. A support member 24 having anaperture 26 is secured to the base 22 by a screw 28 which is threadedinto a tapped hole 29 in the base.

An anvil 30 having a hole 32 therethrough is secured to the baseopposite from the support member by another screw 28 which is threadedinto a second hole in the base member 22. It may be appreciated that ifthe hole in the base 22 extends completely therethrough and the hole oraperture in either the support member or the anvil is threaded, a singlescrew may be utilized to fasten the anvil and support member to thebase.

One problem with prior art anvils is that the working or shearing edgeor surface of the anvil wears out quickly. To overcome this problem,applicant has provided an improved shearing member 34 which may beconfigured as a rectangular rod. The shearing member 34 has a pluralityof apertures 36 therethrough which may be aligned with apertures 38 inthe anvil 30. A plurality of screws 40 may be utilized to fasten theshearing member to the top of the anvil.

The punch means 16 of the present invention includes a cylindrical ram50 disposed for vertical reciprocating movement within the upper frameleg 12. The

ram which has a plurality of longitudinal peripheral grooves 52,includes a lower portion 54 of reduced diameter. A cutting member 56having an aperture or hole 58 therethrough is fastened to the ram by ascrew 60 inserted in a threaded hole 62 in the reduced diameter portion54 of the ram.

The upper end of the ram 50 includes a narrow neck portion 68 and aradial flange 70 axially outward of the neck. The flange. neck and ramdefine a socket 72 for connection to the actuating means of the presentinvention.

With reference to FIG. 1, the actuating means of the present inventionis shown at rest and includes a handle 74 which is substantially flushwith the upper frame leg 12. With reference to FIG. 4 the handle 74 isillustrated in a working position at the time that the punch means 16and more specifically the cutting member 56 is cutting through a workpiece W. It will be appreciated, as shown by the arrow, that the forceapplied to the bandle is in the same direction as the movement of thecutting member. If the handle were more vertical rather than horizontalthe force being applied to the handle would be lateral rather thandownward The novel structure to provide this advantage of applying adownward force during the actual punching is illustrated in an explodedview in FIG. 6 including the handle having a transverse sleeve 76 weldedthereto. The sleeve has a arcuate peripheral slot 78 including slot ends80.

A rod 82 of generally circular cross-section is disposed within thesleeve 76 and journalled in the upper frame leg 12 for rotation. The rodincludes a tapped hole 84 and the rod provides an axis for rotation ofth handle 74.

Means are provided for transmitting force from the handle 74 to the ram50. Specifically an integral ball and link 86 has the ball portiondisposed in the socket 72. The link is threaded as at 87 and is screwedinto the hole 84 in the rod 82.

When it is desired to reciprocate the punch means, the handle 74 isrotated with respect to the rod 82. The slot 78 provides a limitedamount of free travel of the handle until the slot end 80 bears againstthe link portion of the ball and link. At that time force is transmittedfrom the handle through the ball and link combination to the socket 72forcing the ram downward.

As the handle is further pivoted with respect to the rod 82 thecontinued force is transmitted to force the ram downward and the cuttingmember 56 punches through the work piece.

To return the punch to its rest position, the handle 74 is pivoted backtowards its rest position and the opposite slot end engages the bottomportion of the ball and link after a limited amount of free travel ofthe handle. Force is again transmitted by the ball and link into thesocket but acts upward against the bottom of the radial flange 70 on theram to lift the ram upward. Thus there is positive control of the ram inboth directions.

With reference to FIG. 1 it may be appreciated that, as the louvercutter is actuated, the punch means 16 cuts through the work piece W andexerts a force against one edge 41 of the shearing member. When thisedge becomes sufficiently worn, the screws 40 may be removed and theshearing member 34 rotated or turned about a longitudinal axis to move adifferent edge into a working position. This provides four working edgesfrom a single shearing member thus extending useful life of one anvil.

One additional advantage gained by using a shearing member 34 secured toan anvil is that the anvil may be made of ordinary metal stock and theshearing member may be manufactured of a high strength material such annickel or high carbon steel. Since these are more expensive it isdesired to use little as necessary. With the combination of the presentinvention. the entire die means is not manufactured of high carbonsteel. and only a rectangular rod must be replaced when all four workingedges are worn. This provides a reduced cost upon the replacement of theshearing member 34 as contrasted to replacing the entire anvil asrequired in the prior art.

FIG. 5 illustrates a work piece W having a plurality of louvers 42punched therein. If it is desired to punch the louvers in a differentdirection, it is necessary to index both the punch means 16 and the diemeans 18. Thus the die means 18 must be rotated or indexed about avertical axis from the position of FIG. 4 to the position of FIG. 7. Thebase 22 of the die means 18 in cludes a circumferential groove 44disposed below the surface of the anvil and support member. A threadedaperture 46 is disposed in the lower frame leg 14 and aligned verticallywith the groove 44. A threaded detent 48 is inserted into the aperture46 and tightened to cooperate with the groove 44 to prevent rotation ofthe base 22.

Means are provided for indexing the punch means 16 for cutting bothlongitudinal and transverse louvers. Specifically, a spring detent 64 isthreaded into a hole 66 in the upper frame leg 12 and is disposed toengage a groove 52 in the ram 50.

To prevent misalignment of the punch relative to the die means when bothare indexed, it may be seen with reference to FIG. 4, that as the punchmeans 16 is lowered to its extreme bottom position, the bottom of thecutting member 56 is below the top plane of the bearing member 34. Giventhis spatial relationship, if the detent 48 is loosened in the lower legof the frame and the cutting member 56 is pivoted to index the punchmeans, the die means 18 will be pivoted therewith. Once the springdetent 64 engages another longitudinal groove, 52 in the ram, the detent48 associated with the die means may be tightened and the punch and dieare properly aligned. This feature of joint pivotal indexing of thepunch means and die means prevents even the slightest misalignment.

The foregoing is a description of one embodiment of the presentinvention and, therefore, should not be read in a restrictive sense butonly as describing the underlying concepts of the present invention. Theinvention may be further developed within the scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for cutting louvers in metal or the like including aframe having a reciprocable punch therein and die means having spacedanvil and support members receiving the punch therebetween, theimprovement comprising:

means for actuating said punch, said actuating means having an initiallimited degree of free travel so that said actuating means is properlypositioned with respect to said punch,

said actuating means including a handle terminating in a sleeve havingan arcuate peripheral slot, and

means extending through said slot and coupling said handle to saidreciprocable punch;

the ends of said slot coacting with said coupling means for limiting thefree travel of said actuating means and to actuate said punch.

2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said coupling means includes a rodand an integral ball and link for transmitting force from said handle tosaid punch, said rod mounted in said sleeve said ball being received bysaid punch and said link extending through said slot and attached tosaid rod. 1

3. In a portable machine for stamping louvers or the like in sheet metalstock, said machine including a frame, anvil means. and a ramreciprocable between first and second positions and having a removablecutting member secured thereto, the improvement comprising:

handle means including a first portion engaging said ram for positivemotion of said ram between said first and second positions. and having asecond portion for limited free pivotal travel with respect to saidfirst portion,

said first handle portion includes a rod having a tapped hole, and

a ball and integral link, said link being threaded in said hole and saidball engaging said ram.

said second handle portion includes a sleeve having an arcuateperipheral slot. the ends of said slot for limiting the free pivotaltravel of said second portion of said handle means, said rod beingdisposed in said sleeve and said integral link extending through saidslot into said tapped hole.

4. The improvement of claim 3 wherein said ram includes a first endhaving a neck and terminating in a radial flange to form a socket forreceiving said ball.

1. In an apparatus for cutting louvers in metal or the like including aframe having a reciprocable punch therein and die means having spacedanvil and support members receiving the punch therebetween, theimprovement comprising: means for actuating said punch, said actuatingmeans having an initial limited degree of free travel so that saidactuating means is properly positioned with respect to said punch, saidactuating means including a handle terminating in a sleeve having anarcuate peripheral slot, and means extending through said slot andcoupling said handle to said reciprocable punch; the ends of said slotcoacting with said coupling means for limiting the free travel of saidactuating means and to actuate said punch.
 2. The improvement of claim 1wherein said coupling means includes a rod and an integral ball and linkfor transmitting force from said handle to said punch, said rod mountedin said sleeve, said ball being received by said punch and said linkextending through said slot and attached to said rod.
 3. In a portablemachine for stamping louvers or the like in sheet metal stock, saidmachine including a frame, anvil means, and a ram reciprocable betweenfirst and second positions and having a removable cutting member securedthereto, the improvement comprising: handle means including a firstportion engaging said ram for positive motion of said ram between saidfirst and second positions, and having a second portion for limited freepivotal travel with respect to said first portion, said first handleportion includes a rod having a tapped hole, and a ball and integrallink, said link being threaded in said hole and said ball engaging saidram, said second handle portion includes a sleeve having an arcuateperipheral slot, the ends of said slot for limiting the free pivotaltravel of said second portion of said handle means, said rod beingdisposed in said sleeve and said integral link extending through saidslot into said tapped hole.
 4. The improvement of claim 3 wherein saidram includes a first end having a neck and terminating in a radialflange to form a socket for recEiving said ball.